Fostering Connections and Creating Opportunities
In the heart of Get Joy, a sense of community and support thrives, thanks to Heintzelman’s vision of inclusivity and empowerment. She inspires others to broaden their perspectives and find joy in believing in someone else’s potential.
“Sometimes it doesn’t look like being the best person that interviews at a job,” Heintzelman remarked. “Sometimes it looks like giving support and offering room for potential to shine through.”
Get Joy is founded on core values of opportunity, belonging, community, and connection. These principles have been integral to Heintzelman’s roles at Centennial School and as an adjunct professor at the College of Education.
Her students at the College of Education have known about her entrepreneurial ambitions for a long time. They often engage with her, suggesting ice cream flavors and inquiring about the progress of her business, especially during their visits to Get Joy’s soft openings.
“I think this really speaks to the community and supportive culture in the College of Education,” Heintzelman shared. The support from the Lehigh network and the Centennial family has been “amazing” for her as a new business owner, she noted.
Heintzelman aspires to create a space where intentionality, curiosity, and genuine connections flourish.
Without traditional advertising, Heintzelman has hired 42 employees, with another 30 applicants eager to join, highlighting a significant need for such opportunities. “It makes sense,” she acknowledged. “The statistics say nearly 80% of people with disabilities are unemployed.”
Crafting a Sweet Future
Heintzelman emphasizes to her students the importance of critically evaluating their goals and taking intentional steps towards their passions, just as she did when deciding to open Get Joy.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in Heintzelman’s life, influenced by her mentors such as Centennial School’s former director Michael George, current director Julie Fogt, and elementary program coordinator Kelly Spradlin.
“They’ve helped me to see that there’s always room to build space for other people,” she acknowledged.
As Get Joy hosts its soft openings, the shop buzzes with gratitude as customers enjoy coffees and cones. Heintzelman finds the reactions of parents particularly meaningful.
“They watched as their child was given a diagnosis,” she reflected. “They’ve likely felt so many unknowns and one of those conversations might have been, ‘Where will my child work one day?’ One parent told me: ‘Most people dream of going to Disney World, but this is what I’ve dreamed of for my child.’”
Balancing her responsibilities at Centennial School and teaching in the College of Education, Heintzelman remains committed to enriching her community, a commitment reflected in the smiles surrounding her.
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